Rates of eligible people missing timely cancer screenings: A Canadian analysis
New findings from the University of Alberta published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network showed that 43% of eligible individuals miss timely screening tests for colorectal cancer (CRC). The results demonstrate how socioeconomic and racial disparities in cancer screening contribute to unequal health outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted interventions that go beyond coverage for health services alone.
High-quality evidence supports the effectiveness of cancer screening in saving lives. From an economic perspective, it is far more cost-efficient to have an effective cancer screening program and lower cancer-specific mortality than to have a high incidence of advanced incurable cancers that would cost the system far more – not to mention the loss of health and quality of life of the affected individuals. The findings show that better strategies to minimize socioeconomic-related health disparities in our communities are much needed, even in places where healthcare is publicly funded. The lead investigators concluded that “the most powerful intervention to improve screening rates would be to invest more in primary care and make sure every individual is linked to a family physician who can track their adherence to recommended screening tests”.
The period of data collection for the study does not reflect any impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings, however, draw important attention to the issue of timely screening as doctors are currently reporting concerning decreases in screening numbers, which are projected to influence greater numbers of cancer deaths in the coming years.
Take home message:
Findings have shown that more than a third of eligible individuals miss timely screening tests for colorectal cancer, even in countries like Canada where screening is publicly funded. The results demonstrate how socioeconomic and racial disparities in cancer screening contribute to unequal health outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted interventions that go beyond coverage for health services alone.
20 January 2021
